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Ballarat's Karova LoungeCelebrates 6th Birthday

The past 18 months have brought to light just how delicate and difficult running a live music venue can be in Melbourne, the nation’s self-styled music capital.

That a venue in Ballarat, a town with only a fraction of the population, should this week register its 6th birthday is indeed cause for celebration.

The Karova Lounge has become the heart of live music in Ballarat, playing host to a raft of local and international acts such as Wolfmother, Ben Kweller and Okervil River ”.

Speaking to FasterLouder, the venue’s booker Shaun Adams believes the attitude to touring regionally has changed over the years.

“We are lucky because we’re only an hour or so from Melbourne so we attract a lot of the bands that are on the touring circuit,” said Adams.

“The venue itself is run by music-lovers and I think a lot of the acts appreciate that.”

“There is also a demand from the punters, which keeps a lot of these acts wanting to come back,” he added.

Although the Karova has regularly showcased the likes of Yacht Club DJs, Howl and Neon Love from in and around the region, Adams admits that acts from further afar have provided some of the venues most memorable nights.

“ You Am I have played twice, and all the staff were like, ‘is this shit really happening?’ Having those guys play was certainly a defining moment for the venue,” Adams said.

He also lists Girl Talk as having one of his favourite Karova gigs, “for the sheer hype and crowd energy on one those rare 30+ degree nights in the ‘rat.”

Over the coming days, the Karova will be enlisting a slew of home-grown artists to help with celebrations.

Yacht Club DJs, Neon Love and North East Party House will perform later tonight, with Little Red, Purple Sneakers DJs and Howl taking the stage over the weekend.

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